HUNDREDS queued up to get their hands on the commemorative $50 notes launched Wednesday by Brunei Darussalam and Singapore to mark the 50th anniversary of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement between both countries.

The limited edition $50 polymer notes, jointly issued by Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD) and Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), has since Wednesday been made available at the AMBD Currency Gallery and Gift Shop at the Ministry of Finance Building in Commonwealth Drive.

Testament to its popularity, avid collectors and the public at large were seen making a beeline at the AMBD Currency Gallery since AMBD started selling the numismatic sets, with many expressing their delight with the issuance of the notes.

“As a money collector, I was ecstatic when I first heard the news about the limited edition notes. I made my way here early this morning to get my hands on it. This is very special because it does not just signify Brunei and Singapore’s Currency Interchangeability Agreement, but also the close friendship that both countries share,” said Lim Chang after he made purchased yesterday.

To make purchase, visitors must first obtain a queue number and fill in a form, before making payment at the counter.

According to AMBD, the most popular is the identical numbered notes set sold at $300 each. It contains one $50 commemorative note issued by AMBD and one $50 commemorative note issued by MAS, sharing the same serial number with the CIA prefix.With the theme ‘Flourishing Growth,’ the $50 commemorative notes feature the same design elements and layout, and is predominantly gold in colour to signify the golden jubilee.

The 50th anniversary logo of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement is a key feature on the front of the note. It shows a unifying flower motif comprising a prominent flower found in Brunei Darussalam and Singapore’s national flower, the Simpur and the Vanda Miss Joaquim respectively, in full bloom. This and the radiating flower petals symbolises the flourishing growth friendship between the two nations.

A portrait of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is shown on the Brunei Darussalam note, while the Singapore note features a portrait of first Singapore president Yusof bin Ishak.

Meanwhile, AMBD and MAS will also be issuing commemorative notes for circulation, which the public can exchange for both the $50 notes issued by AMBD and $50 notes issued by MAS. Each set will be accompanied by a complimentary folder to commemorate the occasion, and is available from branches of Baiduri Bank, Bank of China (Hong Kong), Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam, Maybank, RHB Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, UOB, and Perbadanan TAIB effective today.

DESPITE first making its appearance in the Sultanate during the 1940s, Kuih Mor continues to be a household favourite today as a tea time snack or festive treat particularly during Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

Siti Norhafizah Hj Bagol, a final year student at Universiti Brunei Darussalam who researched on Kuih Mor as part of her Brunei Traditional Industry module, said the three-ingredient sweet treat may have existed in Brunei as early as the 1940s when padi was known to have been grown to make different food items.

Over time, the cookie has also become a popular door-gift choice often handed out at Malay weddings or gatherings, said Siti Norhafizah.

Made with flour, oil and granulated sugar which have been ground into a powder, the bite-sized biscuits have a crumbly texture and are coated with powdered sugar.

The age-old technique of making Kuih Mor by hand has however changed over the course of time, with many now opt…